You’ve probably seen me post about my dog Chiquita, the cute sidekick I rescued from a shelter last year. Her unique talent turns heads.

According to the Humane Society, an estimated 2.7 million healthy shelter pets are not adopted in the U.S. each year, and only about 30 percent of pets in homes come from shelters or rescues.

This year, Chiquita and I want to raise $10,000 to support the Baldwin Park Animal Shelter in Los Angeles and dog rescue organizations. We are going to do this using social media. Every time a photo of Chiquita is posted on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) using the hash tag #ScootPooch, a private donor is going to give $1.00 towards our campaign. So, to reach our goal we need to get 10,000 posts of her this year. Be sure to use the hash tag #ScootPooch! I will also accept cash donations from people when we are out scooting – all going directly to support foster programs for the shelter and animal rescue organizations in LA and Orange County.

Chiquita is regularly scooting around Laguna Beach, but we will also go for scoots throughout Southern California, including special events such as Strut Your Mutt in LA. We will announce locations in advance on her Facebook page, where you can also get in touch with me to request an appearance at your event.

If you do not live in the area and want to support us, you can donate directly to our cause through her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/scootpooch just click on the “Donate” tab. You can donate as little as $5.00 – every contribution towards our goal will help! You can also donate directly to the LA County Animal Care Foundation, click here for more information.

I love dogs. I’ve had a canine companion for most of my adult life, including an Australian Shepard named Libby that I rescued five years ago. In 2012, I was recruited to move to Southern California from my native Iowa for a position in higher education. With such a big move, I thought it might be best for Libby to wait until I got settled into my new life in Orange County. After I was established with my new job and moved into a pet-approved apartment in Laguna Beach, I was ready to bring Libby out to join me in our new home. But, in an unexpected turn of events, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and Libby would become a vital distraction for her during the first few weeks of chemotherapy. My father had little doubt that the affectionate dog was making a huge difference in their lives, and suggested that they adopt Libby and keep her there permanently. “Libby is her rock. It’s amazing how that dog helps her through it,” he told me. Libby had a new purpose in life.

Local resident Joe Cockrell discovered his rescue dog, Chiquita, prefers a scooter to taking long walks because of a birth defect. Photo by Nik Sarac.

Not long after, I saw the cutest video on a local newscast: a small dog who could ride a doggie scooter, made from an old skateboard. The adorable video clip made me instantly smile, but the pup was not on the news because of her unique talent. Somebody had abandoned the six-year-old Chihuahua mix in Los Angeles and she needed a new home. Scooter included.

Last week I saw a story from NBC-4 in Los Angeles by Christina Cocca about a cute Chihuahua that loves to ride on a skateboard. But her adorable talent was not the reason she was in the news – it was because somebody had surrendered her to the Baldwin Park Animal shelter in LA, and the 6-year-old sweetheart needed a new home.

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